NARRATIVE: THE TORNADO SPUN UP WEST OF STAR FIELD ON THE NORTH SIDE OF PAOLI SCHOOL COMPLEX...DESTROYING A 100 YEAR OLD BARN AND HEAVILY DAMAGING THE ROOFS OF TWO OTHER OUTBUILDINGS. IT THEN TOOK A LARGE SECTION OF ROOFING OFF THE PAOLI POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING ON WEST MAIN STREET BEFORE SNAPPING SEVERAL TREES ALONG LICK CREEK AS IT MOVED EAST-NORTHEAST TOWARD TO CITY SQUARE. ON THE SQUARE THE TORNADO RIPPED THE METAL ROOFS OFF OF REFLECTIONS FLOWER SHOP AND
LIBERTY FURNITURE. THREE CHIMNEYS OF THE ORANGE COUNTY COURTHOUSE COLLAPSED...MOST LIKELY WHEN HIT BY ROOFING DEBRIS. AFTER CROSSING THE SQUARE THE TORNADO CONTINUED MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST FOR ANOTHER ONE AND A QUARTER MILES...SNAPPING AND UPROOTING TREES AND CAUSING MINOR ROOF DAMAGE TO SEVERAL HOMES. NEAR THE END OF THE PATH THE TORNADO SPREAD DEBRIS FROM A METAL OUTBUILDING...EXTENSIVELY DAMAGING A METAL OUTBUILDING ONE TENTH OF A MILE ONTO NORTH MARSHALL ROAD.

Click on the image to see a large version of the tornado's track map using Google Maps.

Click on the image for a map of the precise width of the tornado's path, over a satellite picture background.

Here are some photos from the NWS Storm Survey Team. Click on an image for a larger version.

Below is a reflectivity loop of a line of strong storms that moved ahead of a cold front across southern Indiana and north central Kentucky late in the evening of November 14, 2011. The line of strong storms produced wind damage and a possible tornado in Paoli, IN. Notice how certain segments of the line of storms bow out at times. This is a radar signature commonly associated with damaging winds.

Below is a strom relative velocity loop of a line of strong to severe storms that moved across southern Indiana and north central Kentucky in the late evening hours of November 14, 2011. An area of rotation can be seen on the image as it develops and moves across southern Indiana. Paoli, IN was in the path of this signature where a storm damage survey is being conducted.